Medicare PTC: Door-to-Door

Medicare and Door-to-Door Compliance Laws

 

Understanding Compliance for Medicare Agents

Medicare has strict regulations to ensure that beneficiaries are protected from unsolicited and potentially intrusive marketing practices. Here are the key compliance laws regarding door-to-door activities for Medicare agents:

Prohibited Activities

1. Unsolicited Visits: Agents are not allowed to visit beneficiaries at their homes without prior permission. This means no cold calling or showing up unannounced.

2. Leaving Materials: Agents cannot leave flyers, business cards, or any promotional materials at a beneficiary’s door or on their car.

3. Pressure Tactics: Agents must not pressure beneficiaries to enroll in or switch Medicare plans. This includes any form of coercion or aggressive sales tactics.

Permitted Activities

1. Scheduled Appointments: Agents can visit beneficiaries at their homes if they have a scheduled appointment. This appointment must be agreed upon by the beneficiary in advance.

2. Permission to Contact: Before any in-person visit, agents must obtain explicit permission from the beneficiary. This can be done through a business reply card.

Best Practices for Compliance

Document Permissions: Always keep a record of permissions obtained from beneficiaries for home visits.

Clear Communication: Ensure that all communications are clear, transparent, and respectful of the beneficiary’s preferences.

By adhering to these guidelines, Medicare agents can ensure they are compliant with federal regulations while providing valuable assistance to beneficiaries.